Poonch killing: 'Kya farak padta hai?', says Bihar min who was in army

Bihar, Aug 13: Ministers should be a bit careful about each and everything they say in public. Being public figures, their statements have a huge impact on the people.

However, even if the ministers can be spared, a veteran ex-serviceman-turned-minister cannot be forgiven for his rather insensitive comment when it comes to condoling martyrs in Poonch.

Gautam Singh, the Science and Technology minister said it did not matter whether he attended the funeral of a sepoy Premnath Singh.

"I did not visit the families immediately after getting information about the death of the jawans because the bodies had not arrived ... but went immediately on my return from Delhi (on Friday)," he said.

That is fine sir, but one cannot expect such a casual comment when you have been there and faced it already. At least, you should be knowing the value of life. Moreover, he is a close kin of yours. Has humanity stooped to such levels that a family member does not support the other at the time of need?

Residents of Saran district, Premnath's family received his half-hearted condolences only a day after the funeral. On his visit, villagers holed him up and demanded that the chief minister visited their village.

The minister was with the army's 7 Danapur Regiment between 1972 to 1980.